24th National Space Symposium to Showcase NASA Administrators' Forum

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Jan. 28, 2008) — Four former NASA administrators will take the stage in a landmark gathering at the 24th National Space Symposium. “The NASA Administrators’ Forum” features The Honorable James M. Beggs, The Honorable Robert Frosch, Ph.D., The Honorable Sean O’Keefe, and Vice Adm. Richard H. Truly, USN (Retired). The dialogue will be moderated by noted space consultant and author James Oberg.  The symposium, the premier annual gathering of the global space community, will be held April 7-10 at The Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs. The panel is scheduled to take place at 3:45 p.m. on Wednesday, April 9.

“This historic gathering of former administrators represents a unique opportunity to view the evolution of NASA through the eyes of the individuals who led and shaped the space agency for much of its history,” said Space Foundation President and CEO Elliot G. Pulham. “We look forward to the insight and foresight these remarkable individuals will impart.”

The 50th anniversary of NASA presents an ideal opportunity for the former leaders of this agency to meet and discuss the course of history, current direction, and how decisions made “back then” have rippled forward.  The forum is patterned after similar bi-annual meetings of former Secretaries of Defense.

These four individuals collectively directed the U.S. space agency for more than half of the past 30 years. Frosch lead NASA from 1977 – 1981, Beggs’ tenure stretched from 1981 – 1985, Truly served from 1989 – 1992, and O’Keefe was administrator from 2001 – 2005.  Their experience spans an extraordinary period in the agency’s history from the beginning of the space shuttle program through the development of the International Space Station.

The symposium brings together all sectors of space – civil, commercial, and national security – to highlight the accomplishments and address the opportunities and issues facing the space industry today.  More than 7,500 participants from across the United States and many foreign countries are expected to attend the 24th National Space Symposium.  These individuals, who represent both the history and future of this $220 billion industry, include senior executive leadership from NASA, NOAA, and other civil space and government agencies; the commercial space and satellite broadcasting industry; the Department of Defense and military space commands; space entrepreneurs; universities and academia; and senior representatives from the global space industry.

Highlights of the 24th National Space Symposium include an extensive exhibit center representing more than 140 organizations and companies co-sponsored by Lockheed Martin; a spectacular Opening Ceremony, co-sponsored by United Space Alliance; Opening Night Fireworks and Late-Night Reception, co-sponsored by Raytheon; the Corporate Partnership Dinner, co-sponsored by Northrop Grumman; the presentation of the Space Foundation’s highest honor, the General James E. Hill Lifetime Space Achievement Award, at a luncheon co-sponsored by Boeing; and the Space Technology Hall of Fame Dinner, co-sponsored by Space Florida.

Additional co-sponsors of the symposium are Analytical Graphics, Inc., ATK, Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp., Cisco Systems, Inc., CSP Associates, Harris Corporation, Honeywell, Infinite Links, ITT, Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, and Stellar Solutions. Media partners for the 24th National Space Symposium are Aviation Week and Space News. Frontier Airlines is the official airline of the conference.

Online registration and more information, including an updated program agenda, confirmed speaker list, and exhibitor list are available at  www.NationalSpaceSymposium.org.

About the Space Foundation
Founded in 1983 and celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, the Space Foundation is an international nonprofit organization advancing space-related endeavors to inspire, enable, and propel humanity.  A leader in space awareness activities, major industry events, and educational enterprises that bring space into the classroom, the Space Foundation is headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colo.  It conducts research and analysis and government affairs activities from its Washington, D.C. office, and has field representatives in Houston and Cape Canaveral, Fla.  Along with partnering organizations, the Space Foundation also conducts Strategic Space and Defense 2008, scheduled 6-8 October in Omaha, Neb.  For more information, visit www.SpaceFoundation.org.

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